Asian American leaders express concern about voter ID laws

Texas law requires voters to show particular forms of Voter ID and is much more restrictive than Virginia's law. (AP photo)

New voter ID laws could threaten Asian American voters this November, community leaders said today.

With changing laws, voters may not be aware of the state’s requirement for proper identification, said Christine Chen, executive director of Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote.

“Every state has really changed and updated their laws, some for the better, some for the worse,” she said. “For even the volunteers who we’re relying on to educate and reach out to our first-time voters, they’re having a hard time understanding what’s actually happening.”

Voter ID laws vary by state. The Texas law mandates voters show a valid photo ID — which is facing a battle over legality in federal court. The Virginia rule does not require identification with a photograph. Voters must produce identification including a voter card, a drivers license, employer-issued photo ID and a federal, state or local government-issued ID.

Asian American voters in Virginia, a key swing state, favor keeping President Barack Obama in the Oval Office, with 54 percent planning to vote for his reelection, according to a survey by Lake Research Partners. But more than a quarter of the 117 surveyed Virginian voters reported they were still undecided.

In Texas, Asian American voters could play a pivotal role in elections in counties including Harris, Fort Bend and Dallas.